After starting the month 1-4, the Yankees, with nine players on the disabled list, concluded the month 16-10, far exceeding to this point many of the grim expectations set for them.

"I thought our guys did a very, very good job,'' Joe Girardi said of the month. "I'm pleased with the way the guys are playing.''

Pitching has played a critical role and Kuroda, who allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, has led the way, finishing the month 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA.

Tuesday night, after an ugly first three innings, Rothschild suggested that Kuroda pitch from the stretch.

"That's something I don't really like to do but I followed his suggestion and everything went well,'' said Kuroda, who retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced.

Said catcher Chris Stewart: "He knows how to make the proper adjustments. Some guys unfortunately aren't able to feel what they're doing out there, so they don't know how to correct it. He's really good at doing what he needs to do to correct himself and get himself where he needs to be.''

Kuroda, 38, struck out a season-best eight and walked four to tie a season high, though none after the third inning

David Robertson provided some drama, allowing a two-out single to Carlos Peña and subsequent homer to Chris Carter to make it 4-2 in the eighth.

But Lyle Overbay's fourth homer of the season in the bottom half made it 5-2 and Chris Stewart's RBI single, driving in Eduardo Nuñez, who had two doubles and a single, made it 6-2. Travis Hafner's third run-scoring hit of the night made it 7-2.

Rivera has done the job all season and Girardi's lineup certainly did Tuesday night, a recurring theme the first month.

He sent out one featuring five consecutive lefties -- Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki, Robinson Cano, Hafner and Brennan Boesch -- against Philip Humber and it paid off, with the quintet producing eight of the Yankees' 15 hits and four RBIs. Hafner, the designated hitter who continues to produce, hit three run-scoring singles, giving him 17 RBIs, tying him with Cano for best on the team. Eduardo Nuñez and Ichiro also had three hits apiece, with Nuñez contributing two doubles.

"I think we've done a good job,'' Hafner said of the team's 16-10 month. "Our pitching's been outstanding and I think we've swung the bats pretty well, too. I think we feel good about April and we're just looking to keep it going.''

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